easyJet summer seat boost will lead to more airport jobs

Belfast International Airport is gearing up for its most successful ever season with easyJet adding a further 250,000 seats to its summer 2016 schedule.

The easyJet expansion will lead to more than 100 new jobs in aviation support, retail and supply companies which will inject almost £1.6 million in wages into the local economy.

The additional jobs come at no cost to the taxpayer or the devolved administration.

The eight percent increase will see seat capacity boosted on London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle. In addition, Lanzarote will be extended through the summer.

The increase follows hard on the heels of a 300,000 increase in seats during the winter schedule.

The airport has described the easyJet development as a timely response to passenger demand.

Belfast International Airport Business Development Director, Uel Hoey, said: “It’s important to remember that this growth comes in advance of any Air Route Development Fund which we expect to be announced shortly.

“The Fund should serve to accelerate growth and deliver links to markets not already served from Northern Ireland. While the finishing touches are being put to the Fund, the airport and our airlines are in expansion mode, growing the business, extending the route network and creating jobs.

“We could do much more, and can’t wait to see the remit, scope and extent of the Fund, which has been years in the making.

“This summer is on track to be our most successful ever. We would like to congratulate easyJet for its long-term commitment to this market and look forward to working closely with the airline to create ever-greater opportunities for the Northern Ireland travelling public and visitors to our region.”